| location=Northern [[Wilderland]], between the southwest and southeast arms of [[Erebor]]

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| location=Northern [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]], between the southwest and southeast arms of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]

| inhabitants=[[Northmen]]

| inhabitants=[[Northmen]]

| realms=[[Kingdom of Dale]]

| realms=[[Kingdom of Dale]]

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| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Battle of Five Armies]], [[Battle of Dale]]

| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Battle of Five Armies]], [[Battle of Dale]]

| references=

| references=

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|}}

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}}

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'''Dale''' was a city of the [[Northmen]], destroyed by the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] and rebuilt after his demise.

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'''Dale''' was a city of the [[Northmen]], situated between [[Erebor]] and [[Esgaroth]].

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==Description==

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Dale was situated in the valley between the southwestern and southeastern arms of the [[Lonely Mountain]], nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the [[River Running]].<ref>{{H|Thror}}</ref> It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> and the town was renowned for its bells.<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>

==History==

==History==

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Dale was founded by the Northmen who lived near Erebor, probably to benefit from trade with the [[Dwarves]] in [[Erebor]], who were seen as an ally. The last Lord of Dale before its destruction by [[Smaug]] was [[Girion]].

In {{TA|2590}} King [[Thrór]] reestablished the [[Kingdom Under the Mountain]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> The realm prospered and [[Northmen]] living to the south came up the River Running and built Dale.<ref name="Party"/> The town shared in the prosperity of the Dwarves and it was governed by the [[Lord of Dale]], of whom the last was named [[Girion]].<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref>

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In {{TA|2770|n}} [[Smaug]] descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom.<ref name="TA"/> Although Dale fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the [[Front Gate]] of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.<ref name="Party"/>

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The death of Smaug and the [[Battle of Five Armies]] occurred in {{TA|2941|n}}. Three years after the battle, Dale was rebuilt by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]],<ref name="TA"/> who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of Girion. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity: Bard founded the [[Kingdom of Dale]] and it gathered men from the [[Long Lake]], the South, and the West. [[Lake-town]] was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref>

During the reign of King [[Brand]], the grandson of Bard the Bowman, Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of Lake-town.<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref> However, as [[Glóin]] revealed at the [[Council of Elrond]], in {{TA|3017|n}} a messenger from [[Mordor]] came to ask King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of [[Hobbits]] and to ask for [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo's]] [[The One Ring|ring]]. Messengers had also come to King Brand and there were enemies gathering upon the Kingdom of Dale's eastern borders.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>

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During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Easterlings]] crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On [[17 March]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Battle of Dale]] began. Not able to hold back the Easterlings the [[Men of Dale]] and their allies, the Dwarves of Erebor, retreated into the the Lonely Mountain, but lost Kings Brand and Dáin Ironfoot who were both slain at the Gate of Erebor. For seven days the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of [[Sauron]]. The new kings of Dale and Erebor ([[Bard II]] and [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]), broke the siege and chased the Easterlings out of Dale. After the siege, the Men of Dale rebuilt Dale, with the help of the Dwarves. Bard also sent an emissary to the coronation of King [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>

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Dale was destroyed when [[Smaug]] descended on the Dwarf-kingdom of [[Erebor]]. For one-hundred seventy-two years city lay in ruins, until the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. After the battle, Dale was refounded by [[Bard the Bowman]], the descendant of its royal line. Dale was once again a prosperous city. It had a long lasting friendship with the Dwarves of Erebor and the [[Iron Hills]], and the people of [[Lake-town]], trading with them and allying with them in times of war.

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During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Easterlings]] attacked the city. Not able to hold the Easterlings back the [[Men of Dale]] and their allies, the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], retreated into the the Lonely Mountain, but not without losing both Dale and Erebors' kings [[Brand]] and [[Dáin Ironfoot]] who were both slain at the gates of the mountain. For seven days the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron, the new kings of Dale and Erebor ([[Bard II]] and [[Thorin III Stonehelm]]), broke the siege and chased the Easterlings out of Dale. After the siege, the Men of Dale rebuilt Dale, with the help of the Dwarves. Bard also sent an emissary to the coronation of king [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]].

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

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The word ''dale'' means "valley", as it was built in the [[Celduin]] valley between two arms of Erebor.

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The word ''dale'' means "valley", as it was built in the [[River Running|Celduin]] valley between two arms of Erebor.

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==Appearances in Adaptations==

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==Portrayal in adaptations==

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[[Image:Dale-BFME2.jpg|thumb|Dale in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|''BFME'' II]]]]

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[[File:Dale-BFME2.jpg|thumb|Dale in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|''BFME'' II]]]]

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''

:The City of Dale appears in the ''Erebor'' map, just southeast of the mountain itself. It appears to contain several houses, taverns and bridges, as well as a statue of a [[Men|man]]. The city is built around the mountain's river.

:The City of Dale appears in the ''Erebor'' map, just southeast of the mountain itself. It appears to contain several houses, taverns and bridges, as well as a statue of a [[Men|man]]. The city is built around the mountain's river.

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==Sources==

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*[[The Hobbit]]

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'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''

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*[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]

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:Glimpses of the [[sack of Erebor]] and the destruction of Dale were shown in the opening prologue sequence.

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*Appendix A of [[The Lord of the Rings]]

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*Appendix B of [[The Lord of the Rings]]

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==See also==

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*Appendix D of [[The Lord of the Rings]]

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*[[:Category:Images of Dale|Images of Dale]]

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{{References}}

[[Category:Rhovanion]]

[[Category:Rhovanion]]

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[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]

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[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]

[[de:Thal]]

[[de:Thal]]

[[fi:Laakso]]

[[fi:Laakso]]

[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rhovanion:dale]]

[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rhovanion:dale]]

Revision as of 18:23, 4 October 2013

This article is about the City of Dale. For the the Kingdom, see Kingdom of Dale.

Contents

Description

Dale was situated in the valley between the southwestern and southeastern arms of the Lonely Mountain, nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the River Running.[1] It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the Dwarves. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North[2] and the town was renowned for its bells.[3]

In 2770Smaug descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom.[4] Although Dale fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the Front Gate of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.[2]

The death of Smaug and the Battle of Five Armies occurred in 2941. Three years after the battle, Dale was rebuilt by Bard the Bowman,[4] who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of Girion. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity: Bard founded the Kingdom of Dale and it gathered men from the Long Lake, the South, and the West. Lake-town was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale.[6]

TheBattle of Dale

During the reign of King Brand, the grandson of Bard the Bowman, Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of Lake-town.[7] However, as Glóin revealed at the Council of Elrond, in 3017 a messenger from Mordor came to ask King Dáin Ironfoot at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of Hobbits and to ask for Bilbo'sring. Messengers had also come to King Brand and there were enemies gathering upon the Kingdom of Dale's eastern borders.[8]

During the War of the Ring, the Easterlings crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On 17 March3019 the Battle of Dale began. Not able to hold back the Easterlings the Men of Dale and their allies, the Dwarves of Erebor, retreated into the the Lonely Mountain, but lost Kings Brand and Dáin Ironfoot who were both slain at the Gate of Erebor. For seven days the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron. The new kings of Dale and Erebor (Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm), broke the siege and chased the Easterlings out of Dale. After the siege, the Men of Dale rebuilt Dale, with the help of the Dwarves. Bard also sent an emissary to the coronation of King Elessar.[9]

Etymology

The word dale means "valley", as it was built in the Celduin valley between two arms of Erebor.

Portrayal in adaptations

The City of Dale appears in the Erebor map, just southeast of the mountain itself. It appears to contain several houses, taverns and bridges, as well as a statue of a man. The city is built around the mountain's river.